Kawai CN39From real comments

Verdict distilled from 22 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment57%
PROS 57%
CONS 43%

Rank based on 22 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want noticeably deeper, more resonant bass and grand-piano tone than entry-level Kawai models offer
  • You value a precise, expressive key action for serious daily practice
  • You're comparing against pricier CA-series pianos and want most of the sound quality for less money

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You mainly use Android and want full Virtual Technician app functionality
  • You need a piano that ships fully assembled with no setup required
  • You prioritize maximum built-in speaker bass without headphones over sound-via-headphones quality

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Kawai CN39
Rich, grand-piano-like soundNoticeable upgrade over CN29 speakersPrecise, expressive key actionVirtual Technician app is iOS/iPad onlyShips unassembled without clear warningDimensions may not match published specs
Kawai CN39
Rich, grand-piano-like sound
Noticeable upgrade over CN29 speakers
Precise, expressive key action
Virtual Technician app is iOS/iPad only
Ships unassembled without clear warning
Dimensions may not match published specs

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality is the CN39's standout strength. Multiple commenters who compared it directly to the CN29 found the CN39's extra bass speakers made a dramatic difference, describing deep, resonant bass notes and a tone 'so much more like a grand piano.' Owners report the internal speakers are high-end enough to play confidently without headphones, free of hiss, and sounding close to an acoustic grand. One user did note the speakers 'aren't the best' and lack bass, though praised the headphone sound as terrific.

The key action earns strong approval from owners. Buyers describe the action as 'absolutely delightful' and 'really precise and expressive,' contributing to a satisfying playing experience after years away from piano. However, some prospective buyers raise durability concerns, citing prior complaints about key noise on Kawai digital pianos and wondering if the CA48's wooden-key mechanism would be quieter and longer-lasting than the CN39's action.

Setup and app support create friction for some buyers. The piano arrives unassembled, and several buyers were caught off guard because no retailer disclosed this before purchase; fortunately assembly only requires a screwdriver, not a power drill. Separately, the Virtual Technician companion app works only on Apple iPad, leaving Android and iPhone-only owners unable to access its adjustment features, a limitation repeatedly criticized as a missed opportunity by Kawai.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?